{{Support vote}} Baldwin voted for H.R.325 -- No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013. The bill passed the Senate on January 31, 2013, with a vote of 64 - 34. The purpose of the bill was to temporarily suspend the debt ceiling and withhold the pay of members of Congress until a budget could be passed. The vote largely followed party lines with Democrats overwhelmingly supporting it and many Republicans in opposition to the bill.<ref>[https://votesmart.org/bill/votes/42338?s=party ''Project Vote Smart,'' "HR 325 - To Ensure the Complete and Timely Payment of the Obligations of the United States Government Until May 19, 2013 - Voting Record," accessed September 25, 2013]</ref>

{{Support vote}} Baldwin voted for H.R.325 -- No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013. The bill passed the Senate on January 31, 2013, with a vote of 64 - 34. The purpose of the bill was to temporarily suspend the debt ceiling and withhold the pay of members of Congress until a budget could be passed. The vote largely followed party lines with Democrats overwhelmingly supporting it and many Republicans in opposition to the bill.<ref>[https://votesmart.org/bill/votes/42338?s=party ''Project Vote Smart,'' "HR 325 - To Ensure the Complete and Timely Payment of the Obligations of the United States Government Until May 19, 2013 - Voting Record," accessed September 25, 2013]</ref>

U.S. House

2011-12

Issues

Legislative actions

113th Congress

The second session of the 113th Congress enacted into law 114 out of the 3,036 introduced bills (3.8 percent). Comparatively, the 112th Congress had 4.2 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.[7] The Senate confirmed 13,949 out of 18,323 executive nominations received (76.1 percent). For more information pertaining to Baldwin's voting record in the 113th Congress, please see the below sections.[8]

National security

American response in Syria

On September 10, 2013, Baldwin declared her opposition to granting President Barack Obama congressional authority to take military action against Syria, saying "America must not act alone."[9]

Baldwin announced her decision in comments delivered on the Senate floor.[9] "The use of chemical weapons is a global atrocity, and it demands a global response," Baldwin said in her floor statement. "That is why I oppose going to war in Syria."

The key for Baldwin was the possibility of acting alone. She described the alleged use of chemical weapons against the Syrian people by President Bashar Assad's regime as morally reprehensible and a serious violation of long-standing international law, adding such weapons are truly barbaric in nature. Baldwin commended Obama for his decision to seek congressional authority before launching a military strike against Syria.[9]

"But, I strongly believe that our response to this situation must not be a unilateral military action," she said. "This is not America's responsibility alone. And it is not in our interests to set the precedent that it is our responsibility alone."[9]

Baldwin said a better response is to allow the United Nations or other international institutions to deal with crimes against humanity.[9]

John Brennan CIA nomination

Baldwin voted for the confirmation of John Brennan as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. The nomination was confirmed by the Senate on March 7, 2013, with a vote of 63 - 34. Most Democrats supported the nomination, while Republicans were somewhat divided with roughly one-third supporting the nomination.[10]

Economy

Farm bill

On February 4, 2014, the Democratic controlled Senate approved the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013, H.R. 2642, also known as the Farm Bill.[11] It passed the Senate with a vote of 68-32. The nearly 1,000-page bill reformed and continued various programs of the Department of Agriculture through 2018. The $1 trillion bill expanded crop insurance for farmers by $7 billion over the next decade and created new subsidies for rice and peanut growers that will kick in if or when prices drop; however, cuts to the food stamp program cut an average of $90 per month for 1.7 million people in 15 states.[12] Baldwin joined with 46 other Democraticsenators in favor of the bill.

2014 Budget

On January 16, 2014, the Democratic-controlled Senate approved H.R. 3547, a $1.1 trillion spending bill to fund the government through September 30, 2014.[13][14] The Senate voted 72-26 for the 1,582 page bill, with 17 Republicans and 55 Democrats voting in favor of the bill.[14] The omnibus package included 12 annual spending bills to fund federal operations.[15] It included a 1 percent increase in the paychecks of federal workers and military personnel, a $1 billion increase in Head Start funding for early childhood education, reduced funding to the Internal Revenue Service and the Environmental Protection Agency and left the Affordable Care Act without any drastic cuts. Baldwin voted with the Democratic Party in favor of the bill.[13][14]

No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013

Baldwin voted for H.R.325 -- No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013. The bill passed the Senate on January 31, 2013, with a vote of 64 - 34. The purpose of the bill was to temporarily suspend the debt ceiling and withhold the pay of members of Congress until a budget could be passed. The vote largely followed party lines with Democrats overwhelmingly supporting it and many Republicans in opposition to the bill.[16]

Government shutdown

During the shutdown in October 2013, the Senate rejected, down party lines, every House-originated bill that stripped the budget of funding for the Affordable Care Act. A deal was reached late on October 16, 2013, just hours before the debt ceiling deadline. The bill to reopen the government, H.R. 2775, lifted the $16.7 trillion debt limit and funds the government through January 15, 2014. Federal employees also received retroactive pay for the shutdown period. The only concession made by Senate Democrats was to require income verification for Obamacare subsidies.[17] The final vote on H.R. 2775 was 81-18, with all 18 votes against the bill from Republican members. Baldwin voted with the Democratic Party for the bill.[18]

Immigration

Mexico-U.S. border

Baldwin voted against Senate Amendment 1197 -- Requires the Completion of the Fence Along the United States-Mexico Border. The amendment was rejected by the Senate on June 18, 2013, with a vote of 39 - 54. The purpose of the amendment was to require the completion of 350 miles of fence described in the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 before registered provisional immigrant status may be granted. It would also require 700 miles of fence be completed before the status of registered provisional immigrants may be changed to permanent resident status. The vote followed party lines.[19]

Social Issues

Violence Against Women (2013)

Baldwin voted for S.47 -- Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013. The bill was passed by the Senate on February 12, 2013, with a vote of 78 - 22. The purpose of the bill was to combat violence against women, from domestic violence to international trafficking in persons. All 22 dissenting votes were cast by Republicans.[20]

Previous congressional sessions

Fiscal Cliff

Baldwin voted for the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. She was 1 of 172 Democrats that voted in favor of the bill. The bill was passed in the House by a 257 - 167 vote on January 1, 2013.[21]

Campaign issues

2012

Baldwin listed some of her campaign issues on her website:[22]
"In the proud tradition of Wisconsin’s state motto, “Forward,” Tammy holds a strong commitment to innovation, research and development. Through investments in clean energy technology, we can strengthen Wisconsin’s economy and lower energy costs for families and businesses. Dedicated to Wisconsin’s progressive traditions and values, Tammy has a long record of fighting for family farms, for clean air and water, working to protect Wisconsin’s environment and preserve our agricultural heritage for future generations.

In the Senate, Baldwin will put the middle class first and fight for a fairer economy where hard work is rewarded. She is committed to working with both parties to strengthen Wisconsin’s manufacturing and reduce the tax burden on small businesses so that they can continue to create jobs and drive our economy forward."

Elections

2012

Baldwin won election to the U.S. Senate in 2012. She ran unopposed in the August 14, 2012 Democratic primary.[23] Baldwin then defeated Tommy Thompson (R) in the general election on November 6, 2012.[24]

Money poured into the Senate primary race from political action groups outside of Wisconsin. $4.5 million was spent on ads about Democratic candidate Baldwin. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce spent $850,000 on ads against her.[25]

The University of Virginia's Center for Politics published an article called Sabato's Crystal Ball on March 22, 2012, detailing the eight races in the Senate in 2012 that would decide the political fate of which party would end up with control in 2013.[26] The seat rated a toss-up that the Sabato's Crystal Ball believed could be decided by the party's nomination was the Senate seat in Wisconsin. If former GovernorTommy Thompson (R) won the Republican nomination and made it to the general election in November, the article believed he would have had a significant edge.[26] According to the article, "Given the current state of these toss ups, it’s not a stretch to think that a Thompson victory in Wisconsin could end up giving Republicans their 51st Senate seat."[26]

Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Campaign donors

Comprehensive donor information for Baldwin is available dating back to 2004. Based on available campaign finance records, Baldwin raised a total of $23,684,545 during that time period. This information was last updated on April 25, 2013.[34]

2012

Breakdown of the source of Baldwin's campaign funds before the 2012 election.

Baldwin won election to the U.S. Senate in 2012. During that election cycle, Baldwin's campaign committee raised a total of $14,643,869 and spent $15,204,940.[35]

Cost per vote

Baldwin spent $9.85 per vote received in 2012.

U.S. Senate, Wisconsin, 2012 - Tammy Baldwin Campaign Contributions

Total Raised

$14,643,869

Total Spent

$15,204,940

Total Raised by Election Runner-up

$9,585,823

Total Spent by Election Runner-up

$9,582,888

Top contributors to Tammy Baldwin's campaign committee

EMILY's List

$431,843

Moveon.org

$171,467

JStreetPAC

$113,758

University of Wisconsin

$95,500

League of Conservation Voters

$95,308

Top 5 industries that contributed to campaign committee

Women's Issues

$916,954

Retired

$792,056

Lawyers/Law Firms

$595,374

Democratic/Liberal

$561,401

Leadership PACs

$309,430

Out-of-state donations

According to an Open Secrets report, Baldwin ranked among the top ten senate candidates receiving out-of-state donations during the 2012 election cycle. She received $4,564,389, or 72.7%, of her donations from outside of Wisconsin.[36]

2010

Breakdown of the source of Baldwin's campaign funds before the 2010 election.

Baldwin won re-election to the U.S. House in 2010. During that re-election cycle, Baldwin's campaign committee raised a total of $1,194,114 and spent $1,081,311.[37]

Lifetime voting record

According to the website GovTrack, Baldwin missed 0 of 94 roll call votes from January 2013 to April 2013. This amounts to 0%, which is better than the median of 1.7% among current senators as of April 2013.[39]

Congressional staff salaries

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Baldwin paid her congressional staff a total of $1,044,671 in 2011. Overall, Wisconsin ranks 32nd in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.[40]

Staff bonuses

According to an analysis by CNN, Baldwin was one of nearly 25 percent of House members who gave their staff bonuses in 2012. Baldwin's staff was given an apparent $1,915.47 in bonus money.[41]

Net worth

2012

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Baldwin's net worth as of 2012 was estimated between $517,004 to $1,080,000. That averages to $798,502, which is lower than the average net worth of Democratic Senate members in 2012 of $13,566,333.90. Baldwin ranked as the 70th most wealthy senator in 2012.[42]

Tammy Baldwin Yearly Net Worth

Year

Avg. Net Worth

% Difference from previous year

2012

$798,502

5.27%

2011

$758,501

34.37%

2010

$564,502

N/A

Political positions

Voting with party

2013

Baldwin voted with the Democratic Party 96.3% of the time, which ranked 14th among the 52 Senate Democratic members as of June 2013.[43]

Personal

Baldwin had a domestic partner for 15 years until they separated in 2010.[44]

Recent news

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